Getting a Do-Over - I Would Look for God (Part Deux)

Getting a Do-Over - I Would Look for God (Part Deux)

MARCIE’S DO-OVER made me think about my own spiritual journey—specifically as it relates to my role in the church. One of the challenges I wrestle with is feeling . . . well . . . “less than.” Since returning to work full-time in the late 80s, I never have felt that I truly “belonged” because there are few opportunities for an everyday working gal like me to contribute to the operation and development of the church. Let’s just call it like it is. I’m not a “church lady.”

I wish I were. Church ladies are fun. I think if we were to commission a study we’d find that they laugh more than the typical woman. They’re smart too. Church ladies are in perpetual learning mode, gaining insight from fabulous teachers and one another. On Thursday mornings, while I’m studying data and consumer reports, they’re digging into the Word of God. And they’re sweet. Really sweet. They care about their church family like it was their own. They can fire up a prayer chain to pray for our healing before we even know that our sniffle has blossomed into a full-blown cold. And cook! These women can do things with a casserole dish we didn’t even know possible.

The other thing that works against me is that I’m not chatty. I know this seems strange in light of the fact that I love the girlfriends whom I write and speak to; I can get down to business with you one-to-many on all matters of the heart. But I don’t do this one-on-one very well. I don’t care to talk about what Sarah wore to Sally’s wedding. I don’t meet for coffee on Tuesday morning—unless it’s with clients.

The church lady and I live very different lives. I’m not sure you can tell from my writing, but I don’t do casseroles; I have never participated in a prayer chain unless it is for someone I knew personally; and my Bible study would be totally stunted if it weren’t for my girlfriend Kathryn who opens her home every Monday evening to make sure the working women of Dallas don’t become total heathens.

So where it concerns the church, the body of Christ, where do I fit it in?

Through Christ Jesus, God has blessed the Gentiles with the same blessing he promised to Abraham, so that we who are believers might receive the promised Holy Spirit through faith. (Galatians 3:14)

Although I aspire to be, I doubt I will ever achieve full church lady status. You too?

Well then, let’s just get over the fact that we’re different and embrace who we are, being all Christ called us to be. Let’s continue to remind ourselves and one another that we are important and relevant to the work of the church when we remain true to ourselves as high-heeled, briefcase-carrying gals who love their God.